It's the peak recruitment season of March and April, and many of you may be thinking about making a move. Some people find job hunting smooth, securing an offer within a week; others face a bumpy road, failing even the interview. Is it really because they're not excellent? Actually, that's not the case. Throughout the job search process, from resume writing to interview skills, every step matters. Let's review some easily overlooked details.
- Quantify Results with Numbers, Not Just List Work Experience
Are you familiar with this scenario: You feel your experience and skills perfectly match the company, submit your resume with confidence, but receive a rejection within two minutes. Did your resume fail? You start doubting your past achievements.
A colleague mentioned in an article that some resumes are browsed by headhunters for less than 10 seconds—typically those showing less than 2-3 years at a company.
So, does that mean without a prestigious education, a big company's platform, or 3-5 years of experience, you can't find a good job?
Not necessarily. It might be how you write your resume.
There's a crucial principle for resume writing: the STAR method. Describe a work experience by explaining the Situation, Task, Action, and Result.
Compare these two resumes:
Resume 1: My responsibilities included: 1. New media operations, managing the company's Weibo and WeChat accounts to engage fans; 2. APP topic operations to increase user stickiness; 3. Updating social media accounts to expand brand influence.
Resume 2: My responsibilities included: 1. By analyzing backend data and understanding follower characteristics, grew WeChat followers from 100k to 1 million; 2. Launched APP topics based on trends and workplace hot topics, achieving a 4x increase in participation; 3. Managed 4-5 social media accounts, understanding each platform's operational nuances and content tone.
HRs receive countless resumes daily; no one can judge your abilities solely from your descriptions. If you can't grab their attention quickly or prove your worth concisely, your resume will be lost in the crowd.
We all know companies hire to solve problems, and in the workplace, results matter more than effort. So, the most convincing way to prove yourself is to quantify results with numbers, making your achievements tangible.
- Don't Underestimate the Self-Introduction: It Tests Multiple Abilities
When you finally get an interview and sit down with HR, the first question is often: "Please introduce yourself briefly."
Many people resist this familiar yet unfamiliar topic, thinking, "Why introduce myself again? Isn't it all on my resume?"
Repeating your resume or giving a brief answer isn't ideal. A seemingly simple "introduce yourself" hides deeper intentions.
During your introduction, HR might interject with rapid-fire questions, testing your clarity and communication skills. So, never underestimate the self-introduction; it sets the first impression.
Here's a classic example: Bruce Lee's interview with Fox Film Company, which serves as a textbook for interviews.
- Understanding Your Past Is the Best Way to Predict Your Future
Often, HR asks about the past to gauge the future.
For instance, if you're applying for a role not perfectly matching your current work, and HR asks, "How have you learned new knowledge in the past?" they might be assessing how you'll approach this job. You can answer and then mention your thoughts and plans for the future role.
Similarly, when asked, "How have you collaborated with teams in the past?" they might be evaluating your communication and teamwork skills, especially if the role involves cross-departmental cooperation. Understanding past behavior helps predict future actions.
- Want to Make a Better Impression? These Tips Are Essential
If you really want the job, the above is just average. To deepen HR's impression, consider these tips:
1) Research the Company
If interviewing for a new media role, at least understand the company's public account style. For an APP operations role, check current content. For event operations, learn about past events' scale and types.
This shows respect for the interviewer and demonstrates your sincerity and attitude.
Often, interviewers ask, "What are your thoughts on our current work?" Without deep understanding, your answers won't impress.
2) Follow the Dress Code
Every company has its own dress code. If your attire clashes, it creates awkwardness: e.g., wearing a T-shirt and jeans to a formal company, or overdressing for a casual one.
Mismatched attire widens the psychological distance between you and the interviewer, hindering rapport.
Before the interview, ask the contact person about the company's dress code. People are usually happy to tell you, and your attentiveness leaves a good impression.
If there's no fixed dress code, the safest bet is formal wear, which conveys professionalism and suits the occasion. Avoid eccentric outfits; in the workplace, unconventional dressing might be seen as challenging tradition, potentially making it harder to fit in.
3) Proactively Follow Up
Job hunting might seem employer-driven, but don't just passively wait. Proactively asking can increase HR's favorability.
Typically, interview notifications come via email. After the interview, send a thank-you note to HR.
While waiting for an offer, if you feel both sides are satisfied, you can proactively inquire about the outcome, showing your attitude and seriousness.
This article is original by Liepin (ID: liepinmishu), author Bella. New Distribution has been authorized by the author.
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